Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has indicated that striker Cameron Archer will not be allowed to go back on loan to Preston North End.
Gerrard sanctioned a January loan deal for Archer and Preston managed to win the race ahead of Championship rivals.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe has a strong relationship with Gerrard and that may well have played a part in Archer heading to Deepdale.
It’s fair to say that Archer has been a roaring success ever since arriving at Preston.
The striker immediately scored on his debut against West Bromwich Albion before adding goals against Hull City, Peterborough United, Reading and Bournemouth.
On Tuesday night, Archer became a Preston hero for life by scoring the winner against bitter rivals Blackpool, drilling a superb left-footed strike past Chris Maxwell.
That’s six goals in 14 games for Archer in a Preston shirt and fans are desperate to see him return next season.
It’s unlikely that Preston will ever be able to afford a deal to sign Archer permanently but what about another loan?
If Aston Villa aren’t going to give Archer a starting role, his development may be better served with staying at Preston and continuing his starring role.
With Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings already at Villa Park, you have to wonder just how much first-team football the 20-year-old will be playing next season.
Gerrard has now admitted to The Athletic that Preston boss Lowe asked about a summer deal – but that now looks very unlikely.
Gerrard claims he told Lowe to pass on a message to Peter Ridsdale – that Archer will cost millions to sign on a permanent basis, as we all expected.
The Villa boss added that a loan isn’t in the plans either, but Villa will decide after pre-season training with ‘everyone’ wanting to sign Archer; sadly, a Preston return seems unlikely.
“Ryan Lowe phoned me two days ago and asked for him back next season,” said Gerrard. “I told him to tell (chairman) Peter Ridsdale to get his naughts out if he’s wanting him on a full-time basis. I also said that he won’t be available for a loan because the idea of the loan is to give him some experience to get him back in the group and to have a positive pre-season.”
“I want more forward options in the No 9 position, if you like, so we’ll analyse Cam in pre-season and we’ll make the decision from there. He’s a big, bright prospect here. Ryan’s done a good job with him. Preston have given him a really good opportunity, to be fair, but everyone wants Cam Archer and good players cost an awful lot of money,” he added.